Newcastle have secret money can't buy and fuming Spurs…

Newcastle have secret money can't buy and fuming Spurs boss Antonio Conte already knows it

The race for the top four may not just come down to experience or who has the biggest wage bill. At a time when Spurs are splintering before our eyes, Newcastle United have never been more together.

That spirit was evident during Newcastle's crucial 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Not only did Eddie Howe's side show real character to come from behind to win a game for the first time this season; the visitors did not let their frustrations show after substitute Elliot Anderson controversially had a goal disallowed at the rocking City Ground.

Alexander Isak's quality ultimately proved the difference with both goals - there can be no doubt that such signings have taken Newcastle to the next level - but the scenes after the game told their own story about a secret money can't buy: togetherness. It was on show wherever you looked.

Experienced figures like Callum Wilson and Martin Dubravka were genuinely delighted as the celebrated in front of the away end after the game despite not getting on the field while the injured Anthony Gordon, who travelled to support his side, waited at the mouth of the tunnel to congratulate his team-mates as they walked off.

Gordon was among those pictured in the traditional team photograph taken in the dressing room after the match when players and staff were arm in arm once more. Each one of them knew it could be a potentially season-defining win.

"It could be," Howe told reporters. "We don't know at this moment in time, but it certainly felt like a big moment at the end.

"We went through a run of games around the cup final that were difficult games, playing top teams. Unfortunately, we got beaten three times and it was a real test of our character how we responded to that. Full credit to the players. The Wolves game was tough, but it was a huge win and the same again tonight."

It felt an even bigger victory given what happened at St Mary's less than 24 hours later. Spurs, somehow, conspired to draw 3-3 against bottom of the table Southampton despite being 3-1 up with less than quarter of an hour to go. Spurs are now just two points ahead of Newcastle in the table, having played two games more, and Conte's fragile team still have to go to St James' Park next month.

Conte, whose contract is up in the summer, has clearly had enough and the Italian only grew more irate with each question during an extraordinary post-match press conference on Saturday evening. Conte admitted his players 'don't want to play under pressure' and slammed a reporter for suggesting that the uncertainty around his future could be affecting them, calling it an 'alibi' to protect the group.

Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte had two very different post-match press conferences after two very different results (Sky Sports)

Conte went as far as to say that with this 'commitment', Spurs would end up playing for 'seventh, eighth or 10th' instead of a place in the top four.

"The problem is that for another time we showed that we are not a team," the Spurs boss said. "We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players. I see players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart."

It felt more like an act of self-preservation rather than one last roll of the dice designed to motivate his players, many of whom will now be glad to fly away on international duty, but Conte was hardly speaking out of turn even if he did not take responsibility himself. Conte's words, after all, came little more than a week after Richarlison moaned 'there hasn't been enough minutes given to me' during what the forward termed a 's---' season.

The contrast was remarkable. Newcastle are united. Spurs are anything but.

Newcastle have secret money can't buy and fuming Spurs boss Antonio Conte already knows it

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